In a landmark move, Pakistan passed a bill, now a law, to regulate marriages of minority Hindus after President Mamnoon Hussain gave his approval.

With the President’s approval, Pakistan’s Hindus now have an exclusive personal law to regulate marriages.

"On the advice of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has assented to the 'The Hindu Marriage Bill 2017'," a statement from the Prime Minister's Office said.

The law aims to protect marriages, families, mothers and their children while safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Hindu families.

"It is a consolidated law for solemnisation of marriages by Hindu families residing in Pakistan," the statement said.

AP

Prime Minister Sharif said that his government has always focused on the provision of equal rights to minority communities residing in Pakistan.

"They are as patriotic as any other community and, therefore, it is the responsibility of the state to provide equal protection to them," he said.

The statement said the Hindu families will be able to solemnise marriages in accordance with the customary rites, rituals and ceremonies.

What is the law?

According to the law, the government will appoint marriage registrars in areas convenient for the Hindu population for registration of their marriages.

AFP

This law also provides for procedures relating to restitution of conjugal rights, judicial separation, void and voidable marriages, termination of Hindu marriage, the financial security of the wife and children, alternate relief in termination of marriage and termination of marriage by mutual consent.

The law provides the right to a separated person to marry again, the entitlement of re-marriage for a Hindu widow at her own will and consent after the stipulated time, the legitimacy of a child born out of voidable Hindu marriage.